City in Hesse, Germany
Frankfurt
Germany's finance hub and busiest airport gateway, with skyscrapers, museums and many international workers. Convenient and multicultural, but more business than leisure, and the station area is rough.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$3,150–4,280Comfortable, one person · €2,800–3,800Details
- Value for money12/100Better value than 11% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goMay–SepWarmest: Jul, 27°CDetails
- Air quality10 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2021) · Fairly cleanDetails
- Internet104 MbpsFixed broadband, Germany medianDetails
- Tap waterYes, drinkableSafe and good; ask for Leitungswasser in restaurants.Details
- LGBTQ+4/5WelcomingDetails
- Solo travel3/5English: spoken almost everywhereDetails
- Doctor's visit$68–169Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundUberVery walkableDetails
- Cash or cardMixed: cards and cashCards common in shops and hotels; apple wine taverns, bakeries and small kiosks often cash-only.Details
Where to stay in Frankfurt
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Innenstadt and Altstadt | Short stays: sights, shops, Römerberg and museums |
| Sachsenhausen | Apple wine taverns, bars and restaurants south of the Main |
| Nordend and Bornheim | Relaxed long stays, cafés and local life |
| Westend | Quiet, elegant, near the Palmengarten and offices |
| Ostend | Cheaper, up-and-coming, near the ECB and Main |
Apps that work in Frankfurt
Ride-hailing
Food delivery
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| Lieferando | Widest restaurant choice |
| Wolt | Good coverage in the center |
| Uber Eats | Chains and some independents |
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- DB Navigator: Train tickets, Deutschlandticket and live delays
- WG-Gesucht: Rooms and flatshares for longer stays
- Taxis: Taxis are metered and honest; ordering by app avoids touts at the Hauptbahnhof and airport.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Germany.
- Mixed: cards and cash Cards common in shops and hotels; apple wine taverns, bakeries and small kiosks often cash-only. Carry €30–50.
- Currency: Euro (EUR). US$1 ≈ €0.89 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Bank ATMs may charge foreign cards a few euros, shown on screen; avoid Euronet and decline currency conversion.
- Tipping: Round up or add 5–10% for table service; tell the server the total when paying rather than leaving coins on the table.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay work wherever cards are accepted; PayPal is common online.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Schengen rules: 90 days in any 180 across the whole area; days spent in other Schengen countries count.
- The EU Entry/Exit System is live: non-EU visitors register fingerprints and a face photo at first entry, so expect longer queues.
- ETIAS (a €20 online pre-travel authorisation) is not required yet; its start has been delayed, so check before travel.
Emergency numbers
Police 110 · Ambulance 112 · Fire 112 · All emergencies 112
Plugs
Type C, F · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Carrier shops, drugstores or supermarkets (Aldi Talk, Lidl Connect); ID check by video or in store required. About €10–20 per four weeks. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Germany
Going to Frankfurt solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Frankfurt meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- RMV Rhine-Main transport
- Frankfurt Airport (Fraport)
- Frankfurt tourist office
- Universitätsklinikum Frankfurt
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.